REDLINE ALLEYBMW 3 Series E90, E91, E92 and E93 (2004 to 2013): buying guide, problems and NZ numbers
The BMW 3 Series E90, E91, E92 and E93 was built from 2004 to 2013 as a sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon, with a manual, automatic or dual clutch gearbox, rear wheel drive or all wheel drive and petrol or diesel power. Chassis codes: E90, E91, E92 and E93. Redline has a curated guide to its 8 most reported weak points, from owner club and specialist sources.
Key facts
- Years
- 2004 to 2013
- Chassis codes
- E90, E91, E92, E93
- Body types
- Sedan, Coupe, Convertible, Wagon
- Gearboxes
- Manual, Automatic, Dual clutch
- Drive
- RWD (rear wheel drive), AWD (all wheel drive)
- Fuel
- Petrol, Diesel
On NZ roads
- Imported from
- Japan 99%, Singapore 1%
- Gearboxes
- 8-Gear Auto 87%, 6-Gear Manual 12%, 8-Gear Manual 1%
- Top regions for the BMW 3 Series
- Auckland (91), Christchurch City (23), Tauranga City (12)
The register records the model name, not the generation, so other BMW 3 Series generations built in the same years are in this count too.
Source: NZTA Waka Kotahi Motor Vehicle Register open data (opens in a new tab), CC BY 4.0. Vehicles on the register now, counted by build year.
Known weak points
Curated by Redline from owner club and specialist sources Commonly reported by owners and specialists for the BMW 3 Series E90, E91, E92 and E93 (2005 to 2013). Not every car has these; check this one.
N46 four cylinder timing chain and Valvetronic
The N46 in the 318i and 320i has timing chain and tensioner rail, Vanos and Valvetronic motor faults, oil leaks and worn rings or stem seals.
- Where to look
- The front of the engine, the cam cover and the exhaust
- How to test
- Listen for chain rattle on a cold start. Let it idle, then rev it and watch for oil smoke. Ask whether the chain kit has been done.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- High cost timing chain kit and Vanos parts
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
N43 and N53 piezo injectors and coils
The direct injection N43 and N53 suffer misfires and running problems from piezo injectors, coil packs and the NOx sensor.
- Where to look
- The injectors and coil packs on top of the engine, and the engine warning light
- How to test
- Feel for misfires and rough running, and ask for a fault code scan. Ask whether injectors have been replaced.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- High cost injectors are costly each
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
N52 six cylinder leaks, Vanos oil supply and water pump
The N52 cooks its cam cover and oil filter housing gaskets, worn cam bearing ledges can cut Vanos oil pressure, and the electric water pump is a common precautionary replacement.
- Where to look
- The cam cover gasket, the oil filter housing, and the electric water pump at the front of the engine
- How to test
- Look for oil weeping round the cam cover and filter housing. Feel for rough running with the engine light on. Ask whether the water pump has been replaced.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- Medium cost gaskets and pump; head work for worn ledges
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
N47 diesel timing chain and fuel pump
The N47 diesel has its timing chain at the back of the engine, and a failing high pressure pump can fill the fuel system with metal swarf.
- Where to look
- The back of the N47 engine, and the high pressure fuel pump
- How to test
- Listen for a rattle from the back of the engine at idle. Ask whether the chain and oil pump chain have been replaced.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- High cost gearbox off chain job; whole fuel system if the pump fails
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
Accessory belt tensioner
A wobbling alternator belt tensioner or a worn engine mount can let the belt come off, get behind the crank pulley and be forced past the oil seal into the engine.
- Where to look
- The belt tensioner and accessory belt at the front of the engine
- How to test
- Watch the tensioner with the engine running; it should not wobble. Look for a frayed belt.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- High cost engine damage if the belt gets in
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
Electric steering lock
An orange steering wheel symbol means a steering lock fault, and a red one means it is locked and the car cannot be driven.
- Where to look
- The steering lock warning on the dash
- How to test
- Watch for the steering wheel warning at start up, and lock and unlock the car a few times.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- Medium cost cleaning or replacing the lock
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
ABS module and rear trigger rings
ABS modules are a common fault, especially on six cylinder cars, and rusted trigger rings on the rear CV joints also cause ABS warnings.
- Where to look
- The ABS warning light, and the rear driveshaft outer joints
- How to test
- Check the ABS light goes out after start up and stays out on the drive.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- Medium cost new driveshafts or an ABS module
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
Differential noise and rear subframe rust
The diff on the 318i and 320i is noisy and flaky, and rear subframe rust is common on early cars from harsh climates.
- Where to look
- The rear differential and rear subframe
- How to test
- Listen for whine from the rear at steady speed, and look underneath at the subframe for rust.
- Cost if it needs fixing
- Medium cost a used diff or subframe repair
Sources: fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab), bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab)
General guidance from owner and specialist sources. Check the specific car with an independent inspection. Researched 4 November 2026.
What the cost bands mean
- Low: a small job. Typically a few hundred dollars or less at an NZ workshop, often a DIY fix.
- Medium: a proper workshop job. Typically several hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
- High: a major job. Typically several thousand dollars or more, enough to change what the car is worth.
Service items
- N46 timing chain assembly: ideally by 100,000 miles (about 160,000 km). The guides and tensioner wear. (fastcar.co.uk (opens in a new tab))
- N47 timing chain and oil pump chain: around 100,000 miles, with genuine BMW parts. The chain sits at the back of the engine. (bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab))
- Shock absorbers: all 4 often need replacing by about 100,000 miles. Worn shocks spoil the handling. (bmwblog.com (opens in a new tab))
Questions to ask the seller
- Which engine is it: N46, N43, N52, N53, N54, N55 or diesel?
- Has the timing chain been done, and at what km?
- Has the water pump been replaced on a six cylinder?
- Has it had any steering lock or ABS faults?
- Has the battery cable recall been done?
US recalls
Looking up US recall data.
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